The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-11-04
Ladies Department.
How To Clean Lamps.

lam S SuOulu Ue CaIelully lOoheu dl"
ter, for there are few things that
make o house look so untidy and
uninviting as ill-kepL lamps. Many
people do not use them in sleeping
rooms, preferring to use the sperma
ceti or wax candles. They claim that
they cannot endure the smell of the
oil, which is particularly offensive
after the lamp is blown out, There
is no necessity for a lamp smelling
so as to be offensive to anybody;
and if it is cared for properly it will
not do so. 1t is best when it can be
done to place either lamp or candle,
when blown out, outside of the sleep
lng-room; but if there is an objection
to this, and the lamp remains in the
room, there should be no more often
sive smell from it, nor as much, II
it is well cared for, as from a candle
and if the room is well ventilated,
the most sensitive organization need
not feel any annoyance at the pres
ence of lamp in the chamber.
One cause for lamps smelling is
the use Of poor oil. Never use poor
oil on any account; there is only the
difference of few cents in the gal
lon, and the satisfaction that the
best oil gives outweighs all differ
ence in price. The oil resembling
wat most in appearance, with slight
blush tinge, is considered the best.
Another and the more common cause
of the smelling Of lamps is the clog
ging of the tiny airholes at the base
CT the burner under the cap, and the
crusting on the inside of the cap.
The aitholes may be cleared for a
little while by washing the burner
in hot suds, but this will have no eff
feet on the crust in the cap. 1t will
be as firm as ever. To look at the
inside of the cap there doesn't seem.
to be anything there, for the crust is
burnt on to the brass, so evenly and
smoothly that it is to ali appearance
part of the car. To clean the burn.
er thoroughly, put in an old tin
which can be kept for this kind of
work, cover with water, throw in a
lump of washing soda about the size
of walnut, put on the stove and let
all boil together for a few minutes.
Remove the burner from the water
and wipe dry with an old cloth or
paper. Ii it has been neglected for
any length Of time on the inside of
the cap will be found the crust 80
softened that slight rubbing with
the cloth will remove it. When
thoroughly dried the burner will be
as clean and nice as when first taken
from the store, The soda very often
turns the brass TO s. dark lead color,
giving it an antique look which is
liked by some, but if the bright
brass is preferable, this may be re-
stored by rubbing with amonia and
whiting, or ashes. If soda is not
convenient boil 1t in good, strong
soap suds and it will clean it very
we'll. If burners are cleaned in this
way once every two weeks, which is
not too often, they will not get out
of order as easily and will last
great deal longer, besides insuring
bright clear light, free from any Of
fensive odor.
Try and arrange the work so as to
clean the lamps the first thing in the
morning after the breakfast dishes
have been washed and put away, for
if they are lett until afternoon they
are very apt to be forgotten, or, if
remembered they get careless
cleaning. Have a pair of scissors
especially for trimming the wicks,
and have them sharp. Dull scissors
are never fit for this work. Lift up
the cap and cut off the wick close to
the fiat tn De through which it passes
and it will be sure to be straight;
then turn up the wick and cut a
small piece from each corner, which
when the lamp is lit will give broad
round.cornered flame, 1t is claimed
ny some that chimneys washed in
soap suds break easier than those
washed in clear water. To obviate
this, wash in warm soap suds,
rinse in clear water and there will be
no danger of their breaking. After
rinsing, let drain for little while,
then wipe with a soft cloth or a piece
of newspaper Once in while wash
out the inside of the bowl of the
lamp with warm soap suds to clear
it of the sediment of the oil that set.
ties at the bottom. When trimmed
and filled, wipe we'll, put on the
chimney and turn down the wick
just below the top of the fiat tube. 1t
is by leaving the wick above this
that causes that little circle O f oil
around the cap, and which very oft.
en- flows down the outside of the
bowl, necessitatng a wiping before
being lit When lighting the lamp
see that the wick is up only a short
distance above the tube. Put on the
chimney and let the glass get heated
DIN n Ix hnfAra -